A:
Invest in a fire-rated, theft-resistant safe. Aztec Locksmith keeps several
different Amsec (American Security Products) safes on display to choose from and
keeps a catalog on hand to order from if need be. Protect your cash, financial
documents, computer disks and other valuables with a safe that has met the
toughest requirements in the industry and carries a UL label of endorsement.

A:
There are two ways to choose a safe. If you only know what will go into the
safe, choose by content but, if you already know what type of safe you want,
choose by product.

A: The minimum wage clerk who waits on you at the
"big box" retailer, more likely than not, is not trained in what specific safe
types are required for protecting what types of property, or what risks are
being protected against.

Safes are designed and constructed to perform
in many different specific ways, depending on what they are protecting, and
what they are protecting against.

Fire safes - protect against fire, while
they afford some protection against burglary, they are not designed for that
purpose.

Burglary safes - do a good job of
protecting valuables, but a very poor job of protecting against fire.

Media safes - are designed specifically to
protect media sensitive to moisture and heat.

Professional Locksmith and Safe Dealers are
in the business of providing the proper protection for your specific
requirements, they are trained in all aspects of safe construction, they know
which safes are rated to protect against your risks.

Professional Locksmiths and Safe Dealers are usually factory authorized for any
service or repair that may be needed.

A:
The better safe
locks can be changed to a new combination. This normally involves insertion of a
"change key" into the back of the combination lock, and dialing the new
combination. Usually the new combination is dialed using a "change index" rather
than the usual "opening index" (usually located at 12 o'clock.) There are
restrictions on choice of the numbers - so be sure to find out the details
before doing this. Carefully review the instruction sheet for the lock before
doing this. Most safe combination locks are not “user changeable” so call a
professional to have it done.

WARNING: It is hard to open a safe that has
been set to an unknown combination or one which doesn't work. So be sure to
exercise the new
combination several times with the door OPEN before closing the door and locking
the safe.

A:
Either throw the
safe away, or pay a safe expert to open it. Please note: if anyone could get a
quick and easy way to open your safe it wouldn't be worth much, would it? A safe
expert (which usually means a member of SAVTA) can open a safe by either
"manipulation" or drilling to access the lock's internals and then working the
lock. Drilling can be repaired and leave the safe in excellent condition.

A: A burglary safe has been tested and rated
against an opening attack. A fire safe has been tested and rated against a fire.
Any safe you consider buying should be tested at Underwriters Laboratories for
resistance against an opening attack and/or fire.

A:The fact is, we all have valuables that need
the protection of a home safe. Financial documents, birth certificates,
passports, family heirlooms, and prized collections are just a few of the things
you'll probably store in your safe. If you own a gun, placing it in a safe is
the best way to keep it safe from theft, and out of kids' hands.Just ask anyone who's lived through a tragic
house fire - many people lose everything they have. Everything! Even a
relatively small amount of belongings that survive in a home safe can make a big
difference in starting over.